CT Scanning - Information For Pet Owners

Computed Tomography (CT) is a powerful diagnostic tool which takes multiple x-ray images enabling us to build up a 3D picture.
Our top of the range 64 slice CT Scanner is housed in a special lead-lined building used exclusively for this purpose.

Advantages over a conventional x-ray

The scanner allows a high speed 3D image to be generated and these extremely detailed images allow for more detailed interpretation when compared to a traditional 2D image x-ray image. This detail allows for better diagnosis and treatment planning.

The procedure

CT scans for pets work in much the same way as they do for humans. The most significant difference is that your pet will need sedation and/or general anaesthetic for the procedure. This ensures that they stay still and frees them from the potential stress caused by being placed in a particular position and remaining still during the process.

They will be placed onto a bed, which moves slowly through a motorized x-ray source, rotating around the circular opening of a donut-shaped structure (known as a gantry). The rotation means that we receive images from all angles. The scanner then processes the images which we can view individually or compile them into a 3D on-screen model.

The procedure usually takes 20-30 minutes, but the actual scan takes seconds, and is very safe. Your pet will be monitored throughout the procedure.

What if my vet says that my pet needs a CT scan?

We are happy to accept CT only referrals as well as full referral cases. Speak to your vet if you would like to use our service and they can begin the referral process.

How long will the results take and how will I receive them?

The results of the scan are usually available after 3 or 4 days.

If a more urgent interpretation is required, this can be arranged.

The results will be sent back to the vet that referred your pet to us.

Generally, the images are interpreted by specialist veterinary radiologists although the referring vet may sometimes evaluate the images.

Health checks prior to the CT scan

In some cases prior to scanning your pet we will need to carry out some health checks such as blood testing.

This will be particularly important if your pet is unwell or we need to inject some contrast media to highlight certain areas of the body.

How to refer

All CT scans must be referred either through your own vets practice or through the referring vet who is in charge of your pet.